The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) task force has conducted a decisive operation to demolish suspected criminal hideouts in the Apo Cadastral Zone District, a move aimed at curbing rising insecurity in the area. This action was part of an ongoing city-wide sanitation and security exercise to eliminate criminal enclaves that have long plagued the community.
Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, revealed that the demolition targeted one of Abuja’s most notorious dark spots, linked by credible intelligence reports to violent crimes and multiple killings. Unlike previous partial clearances, this operation involved a total removal of shanties and structures, followed by plans to fence the area to prevent reoccupation by criminals.
Galadima noted that the location had been a hub for illicit activities including armed robbery, housebreaking, and drug peddling. He confirmed that a recent brutal attack involving over 50 armed robbers had originated from this enclave but was successfully repelled by prompt police response.
Supporting the operation, Dr. Peter Olumuji of the FCTA Security Department stated that residents had long suffered from the criminal presence, and the demolition is aligned with efforts to restore peace and security. The task force is also working on a new strategy to safeguard reclaimed green spaces and prevent future criminal takeovers.
While some displaced youths pleaded for employment opportunities citing lack of alternatives, the FCTA clarified that the demolitions were solely focused on exterminating criminal hideouts, not targeting innocent residents, and urged those displaced to seek proper accommodation within legal settlements.
The Apo Division of the FCT Police Command praised the demolition, describing it as a crucial step toward enhancing safety for residents and reducing crime risks in the federal capital.
This operation underscores the FCTA’s commitment to improving the security landscape of Abuja by permanently removing criminal bases that have undermined peace and public safety in Apo and its environs.